Kato N Scale Union Pacific E8A Diesel UP #949

Single Headlight, Dynamic Brakes, Straight Pilot

The ‘City of Los Angeles’ was one of the Union Pacific’s ‘City of’ trains, and a direct competitor to trains such as the California Zephyr and Santa Fe Super Chief. Many railroads in the 1950’s were vying for the attention of the travelling public, so in 1954, Union Pacific upgraded its passenger services, promoting its commitment to high quality passenger service. The most iconic images of this train were its dome cars, ‘Domeliners’, which granted its passengers with an unparalleled view of the countryside as the train would make its journey, thereby creating one of the most memorable trains of the golden age of American railroading.

Prototype Information:

The E8 and E9 diesel locomotives share the similar ‘bulldog nose’ carbody style as the shorter, more popular F7 and were powered by two separate 12-cylinder prime movers capable of producing 2250/2400 hp. E8 and E9 locomotives also rode on A-1-A trucks (powered axle-idler axle-powered axle), resulting in an exceptionally smooth ride favored by crews. The E8 and E9 were produced in both A-units and cabless B-units; the A-units were usually built to railroad specification of either single or dual headlight and freight or passenger pilot. Like the F3 and F7 of the same time period, the E8 and E9 were utilized in both passenger and freight service.

Model Information:

• The Kato EMD E8/E9 locomotive both come in A and B ‘cabless’ variations, similar to that of their smaller F unit sister locomotives

Model Locomotive Features:

• Equipped with a mix of body and truck mounted KATO magnetic knuckle couplers
• Directional Golden White LED headlights and illuminated preprinted numberboards as applicable
• Powerful five pole motor with all wheel electrical pickup and blackened wheels
• DCC friendly and drop in DCC compatible with the Train Control Systems K0D8 series and Digitrax DN163K0A